Reaction Paper on Catching Fire

Catching Fire is the second book of The Hunger Games trilogy. It is the sequel to the first movie: The Hunger Games. This sequel narrates the story of the lead character, Kastniss Everdee after winning the 74^th annual Hunger Games from the previous movie.

I could say that it is a science fiction in a sense that the film deals with the impact of science and technology in Panem especially in the Capitol. Catching fire has also clearly shown how the advancement of science and technology has affected the tributes inside the forest in saving their lives.  The Capitol manipulated the events inside the arena by using science. The tributes were set loose against each other in a forest managed by man-made technology that adds small auto-timed tsunami and barbarous baboons, There is also a train that travels along Panem as their way of transportation.

The film is commentary on past, present and future human society. First, it is because it interpreted the human society in the past as barbaric. It also had similarities with the Roman Empire in terms of the way the Capitol dominated among the other districts. Second, it is commentary on the present human society because it was seen in the film what our society is at present. It is being portrayed by the life of the characters in the film which reflect the present society of different status.  Third, it is commentary on the future. The advancement in the technology seen in the film implies how advance the technology will be in the future. The Capitol has customized the arena putting different danger zones that go off on schedule, according to the hour, and are organized in the shape of a clock. The Capitol’s power is also being manifested by their lavish lifestyle done by the man-made technology compared to the 13 districts. Therefore, it gives a glimpse on the future technology.

The science, technology and society failed in the world of 13 districts. The power, science and the technology are only centered in the Capitol and were not distributed to other districts. The Panem is a deprived township of hard labor, low to no wages and no electricity. It is run by the Capitol that makes the full use of the power. The Capitol, on the other hand, is a place of drastic fashion sense and extreme future technology. 

Kimberly M. Pacle

2013-02319